This website uses features which update page content based on user actions. If you are using assistive technology to view web content, please ensure your settings allow for the page content to update after initial load (this is sometimes called "forms mode").
Additionally, if you are using assistive technology and would like to be notified of items via alert boxes, please follow this link to enable alert boxes for your session profile.

This website uses features which update page content based on user actions. If you are using assistive technology to view web content, please ensure your settings allow for the page content to update after initial load (this is sometimes called "forms mode").
Alert box notification is currently enabled, please follow this link to disable alert boxes for your session profile.

This year actually started off with a public proclamation. As is tradition with many people come January 1, we put together a somewhat lengthy list of News Year’s Resolutions. The list included everything from run of the mill cleaning to lofty goals of whole room overhauls. It felt good to put together a list of very attainable items as well as items that would challenge us to complete them. So how did we do with our list, anyway? Well, here's a status report to keep us honest.

Status: Complete! We completed 90% of the work in 2011, and earlier this year applied a good coat of roof paint. We waited with baited breath, but months have passed by and all signs point to a successful fix.

Resolution #4: Make custom storm windows for master bedroom, living room, and master bath. After all, Alex publicly declared he'd finish this one by January 31, 2012.

Status: In progress. Despite Alex's proclamation of his self imposed deadline and hours of effort, this project was pushed off to the side due to several unexpected projects. (Ahem, can anyone say unplanned kitchen renovation?)

Resolution #5: Redecorate the sun porch to remove the tired floral window treatments, and to better incorporate the wine fridge into the furniture layout.

Resolution #8: Devote some serious time and attention to our master bathroom renovation. The 1980s monstrosity must go, and we were sure that 2012 was the year.

Status: Fail! Even though we were realistic and didn't expect to complete this project in 2012, we certainly expected to get further along. Instead, we spent months of effort on our unexpected kitchen renovation, as well as several other projects that just seemed to pop up. Don't get me wrong, we made a tiny bit of progress. After all, we finalized the layout and even bought an old buffet to repurpose as a vanity. We swear, 2013 is "The. Year."

Resolution #9: Continue our Curb Appeal 2.0 efforts by selecting and installing a border around our front tree, and planting the area with flowers.

Status: Complete! This is an ongoing effort in our home, and a process that puts Lulu to sleep. Several times per year we do a thorough clean out of our closets and basement, putting together a large donation to a local charity. It means we can get more enjoyment out of our uncluttered space, and others can benefit from the use of items we don't need.

Resolution #11: Last but not least on the list was more of a household management item than a house project. We resolved to make a list of our bank accounts, retirement funds, credit cards, mortgage and car loan companies, etc. so we have a complete picture of account numbers, user names, passwords, and balances.

Status: Despite Lulu's best effort to thwart our efforts, it's complete! It's a little morbid to have to think about it this way, but if something happened to either one of us, it's reassuring to know this little list is securely tucked away in our safe deposit box at the bank. We carved out several hours on January 2 of last year to knock this one out, and in return we have peace of mind.

All in all, I'd call this year a success. We may have slipped on a couple of our resolutions, but given the fact that I have a newly renovated kitchen with appliances that actually work, I'm happy to move the master bathroom onto the 2013 project list. I'm really proud of all that we accomplished, and appreciate all the wonderful experiences we had.

Alex will be back tomorrow for a complete year in review post that will take a look at all the other things that kept us busy in 2012 that weren't part of our planned resolution list. Until the new year, I wish you all peace and prosperity. Have a fun (and safe) New Year's Eve!

Are you a regular reader, or new to Old Town Home? Did you miss any of the projects outlined above, or have you trudged through them with us every step of the way? How did you fare on your list of resolutions this year? Any big plans for 2013? We'd love to hear.

You all got a lot done in the past year! Congratulations! You need to feel good about your accomplishments - any one of those was good to get accomplished in a year, let alone all of them.

Don't kick yourselves over the bathroom. It'll get done next year and a bathroom is a big project - we have found out through our 9 foot by 6 foot bundle of misery that has spawned more side projects than we can count. We've about quit making New Years' resolutions, as something always happens to change our plans. I say that, but in my mind, I'm telling myself that our bathroom will be finished by this time next year!

Of course, I keep talking about wanting to get things done and here I sit watching the Twilight Zone marathon on Syfy...